Page 23 - TORCH Magazine - Issue #19

Bruce Buck, Chelsea FC Chairman, said, “During our visit to Israel in 2019, we saw first-hand the power football can have
in bringing together communities and breaking down barriers. We hope that this new initiative will empower children to harness the respect and fairness in football and use those values to promote greater tolerance, unity and inclusion in society.”
Chelsea is also making a significant effort in the fight against Jew-hatred through its very own Say No to Antisemitism campaign, also funded by Abramovich.
Since the campaign was launched in 2018, the club has arranged for Holocaust survivors to give their testimonies to members of Chelsea men’s first team as well as to its youth academy. It has shown its support on the pitch for Holocaust Memorial Day and even screened a film in Westminster about anti-Semitism.
The club took over 140 supporters and staff on a visit to Auschwitz, which was aired on ChelseaTV. Representatives of the club also took part in the annual March
of the Living, held at the concentration camp. Chelsea is also partnering with World Jewish Congress in a series of projects aimed at combatting antisemitism in sports, hoping that other clubs and
footballing bodies will be encouraged to engage also.
The Chelsea Foundation has also partnered with the RAF Museum in a ‘Hidden Heroes’ project to tell the untold story of Jewish personnel in the RAF during WW2, and the vital role they played in the fight against Nazi Germany.
“This experience has been immensely spiritual for everyone. It’s brought us close together and reinforced the value of life and taking care
of each other."
In Israel the women’s team enjoyed a walking tour of ancient Jerusalem, with owner Abramovich meeting them at the Western Wall.
“We had a really moving experience, which finished up with us writing private notes that we then placed in the Western
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